Page 28 of Red's Peril: Part 1

“Pueblo?” When I nod, he shakes his head. “Nah, that was more likely the Colorado Chapter. There are others around—Vegas, San Diego and one over in Utah. Tucson’s the mother chapter. Drummer rules over the lot.”

Bigger than I expected then. Once again, I’m impressed that Drummer’s got so much power, not just Tucson, but four other chapters under his control. I wonder how he managed to hang on to that role seeing the trouble and decimation of this club. Only a very strong man could have done so.

A man I could respect and learn from?Perhaps.

I follow Wraith back down toward the clubhouse, casting my eyes around me as I go. Sure is a pleasant place to make a home here. If it wasn’t for the types I’d be living with, that is. But what type is that, exactly? Men who love the freedom of riding bikes, men scraping together a living. Men, like Drummer, who I could grow to admire.

Maybe I could give it a shot?

I grin to myself. I can just imagine a conversation with Manny.Yeah, man. I’m doing fine. I’ve joined an outlaw motorcycle club.My father, meanwhile, would be turning in his grave. Or would he? He might well have a smile on his face. As long as I was following my dreams, he’d be cool.

But are they my dreams or am I scraping at the bottom of the barrel? Have I given anything else a chance? It’s like there’s a magic spell being woven around me, drawing me in.

I’m still undecided when we reach the clubhouse. Wraith leaves me immediately, taking his place behind the bar. I hover just inside the doorway, not entirely certain what to do. The most sensible thing would be to return to my bike and ride away. If they’d let me.

Something keeps my feet tethered, the camaraderie in front of me. It’s easy to see the affection between the men. Even Wraith, trying to catch up with the drink orders, is laughing and seems happy.

“You born in a fuckin’ barn, boy? Either come in or go out!”

The shout is directed at me. Glancing over, I see a tall, heavily bearded man. He’s glaring in my direction. Sheepishly, I step inside, wondering why when I’d been given the option to leave.

The man who called me boy—like Drummer, slightly older than me, but not by much—beckons me over. As I move toward him, he closes the gap between us. I notice him limping heavily and leaning on a crutch for support.

“Name’s Peg. I’m the sergeant-at-arms.” He says it so sharply I have to suppress my immediate impulse to salute.

“Red,” I tell him, locking my hands at my sides.

“That I know. You looking to join us?”

My mouth forms a no, but for some reason, the word out of my mouth is a cautious, “Maybe.”

“Need to get some muscle on you.” He’s examining me critically. “You seen our gym?”Gym?I shake my head. “Boys here finished it recently. It was put in for me. Lost my fuckin’ leg overseas.” He glances down, presumably at said leg. As he’s got two boots on, I presume he’s wearing a prosthetic.

“We’ll soon have you back on your bike, Brother.” It’s Drummer who’s approached and has slapped Peg’s back.

“Sooner the better,” comes another voice loudly. “He’s even more of a grumpy motherfucker since he’s come back.”

“Shut your trap, Viper. I’d like to see you deal with a fuckin’ stump,” Peg roars back.

“Could be arranged,” Blade mutters mildly, while picking at his fingernails with his ever-present knife.

As I wonder whether a fight’s going to start, Peg cuffs Blade round the head, and the enforcer gives a good-natured snort. I start to gather this is how they behave together.Like family.

“Come, sit,” a deep voice instructs from behind me.

Turning, I see it’s Drummer and that, expecting me to follow, he’s heading for a table in the corner. When I join him, he holds up two fingers. I guess Wraith must have been watching out for him, as he comes straight over to us, two opened bottles of beer in his hand. He places them on the table, then makes himself scarce.

“So, Colt Masters, have you decided?”

I lean forward quickly. “How the fuck do you know my name?”

For an answer, he pulls out my wallet and puts it down.What the fuck?Even though it’s right there in front of me, I pat my pockets. Once I’m assured it is indeed mine, I quickly grab it, open it, and check. I had a few hundred dollars in there, and from what I can tell, still have the same amount.I could have been robbed.I wasn’t.

Drummer smirks. “Lefty’s got his uses.” He nods over to the bar at the older man, who’s looking back at us, grinning widely. “Need to know who I’m dealing with. Got Token from San Diego to put out some feelers. Young lad, but he knows his shit. Apparently, there are no warrants out for your arrest, and your employment history stacks up. Far as I can tell, you’re no fed plant.” His steel eyes darken. “Just warning you, if I’m wrong on the latter and you are, they’ll never find your body.”

His tone makes a shiver run down my spine. “No need to worry, Drummer. No fuckin’ way am I joining your club.” Angrily, I pick up my beer and swallow half of it down.

Ignoring me, he simply continues, “We work hard, party hard. Live and ride free. We don’t give a damn about citizen rules, but that doesn’t mean to say we set out to break them without good reason. I’m trying to turn this club around, not just this chapter, but Satan’s Devils wherever they are. You want to be a part of this, I’ll give you this one chance.” He breaks off. Not once have his piercing eyes shifted from my face. “I think you’re a man that we want, and that we’ve got something to offer in return. There’s only one way to find out. You come on board as a prospect and prove your damn fuckin’ self. You’ll help Blade and Tongue in the shop, get that business off the ground. We’ll give you accommodation—there’s a spare suite next to Wraith’s, and a wage enough to live on.” He pauses as if to give me time to let that sink in. “Ask yourself what you have to lose, man, and then give me your answer.”

---